Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has reiterated his intention to stay in power to ensure a new tariff deal with the United States is implemented, despite growing calls for his resignation and media speculation following a significant defeat for his ruling party.
Ishiba held a meeting at the headquarters of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) with key party members and former prime ministers Taro Aso, Fumio Kishida and Yoshihide Suga.
He later told reporters that discussion of his resignation or the fight for new leadership in the party was not on the agenda, and that the discussion was limited to the election results, voter discontent and the need to avoid internal conflicts.
Despite his usual reticence, Mr Ishiba faces growing pressure to consider a resignation after the LDP and its junior coalition partner Komeito lost their majority in elections to the 248-member upper house of parliament, weakening his position.
That came after a loss in the more powerful lower house of parliament in October, leaving his coalition without a majority in either house, making policy decisions more difficult and adding to political instability in Japan.
Mr Ishiba said he planned to stay in office to handle pressing issues, including tariff talks with the United States, to avoid creating a political vacuum, despite calls for his immediate resignation both within and outside his party.
He continues to insist he will stay. “What was the public's opinion after the election?” said Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the rising Democratic Party for the People (DPP).
In the LDP, a group of young politicians led by Yasutaka Nakasone has launched a signature drive calling for Mr Ishiba to step down early and regain control of the party.
“We all feel the crisis and believe that the election results are an ultimatum from the voters,” he added.
Mr Ishiba is expected to announce his intention to step down in August, according to Japanese media reports.
The conservative Yomiuri newspaper reported in a special issue on Wednesday that Mr Ishiba intends to announce his resignation by the end of July after receiving a detailed report from his top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa on the impact of US tariffs on the Japanese economy, paving the way for a new party leader.
Mr Ishiba denied the reports and said he wanted to focus on the trade deal with the US, which covers more than 4,000 products affecting many Japanese manufacturers and industries.
He welcomed the new agreement, which
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